Tug-coupling



, (No Model.)

C. -LENTZ TUG GOUPLING.

Patented July l, 1890,'

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES LENTZ, OF MAYVILLE, WISCONSIN.

TUG-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of' ietters Patent No. 431,368, dated July 1, 1890. Application iiled April 3, 1890. Serial No. 346,393. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom. it may concerm Be it known that I, CHARLES LENTZ, of Mayville, in thecounty of Dodge and State of Wisconsin, have invented l new and useful Improvements in Tug-Couplings; and I do hercby declare the following to be `a full, clear, and exact description of said invention, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a device for coupling the tug through its strap to the hame by a device so constructed that the tug-strap may be at any time readily coupled to the hame or released therefrom, and that t-he wear on the staple of the hame and the draw-bar shallbe reduced to the minimum; also, making provision for a certain amount of yielding and recovering therefrom by the elasticity of a portion of the device, whereby the rattle of the parts coupled together is obviated, and also the strain on the horse when starting a load is greatly reduced or avoided.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view at the side of my improved device, showing the connection of a tug-strap to'a hame. Fig. 2 is a side view of my device, parts being shown in vertical section to show the construction and relation of parts to each other. Fig. 3 is a detail of the tug-coupling, parts being shown in section to illustrate the interior construction.

The hameA is provided with a stapleB fixed in the edge of the hame. The hame and staple are such as are in common use. A draw-bolt C is secured permanently to the tug-strap D. The draw-bolt may be secured to the tug-strap by any of the known means in common use, but preferably by rivets E E, passing through the tug-strap and through the flattened head or tang of the bolt. This draw-bolt O projects from the end of the tu g-strap, preferably with a short band, inwardly forminga shoulder F, adapting it more perfectly to its proper position and relation with reference to the staple B when passed through it and in the position it necessarily assumes when in use. A inet-al bearing-plateG is first put on the bolt C after it has been passed through the staple B, an elastic rubber block H follows the plate G, a

metal cap I is placed against the outside of the rubber block, and a nut K turning on the end of the bolt Obears against the cap I. The plate G, rubber block H, and cap I are each pro vided with a proper central aperture therethrough to receive the bolt O therein. The bearing-plate G is straight vertically on its surface that bears against the staple B, so as to bearequally above and below the bolt C, but is curved horizontally, so as to provide for a certain amount of swing of the tug-strap, while the plate shall bear evenly and with the least possible strain against the staple.

In the drawings the haine is shown in position nearly at right angles to the tug strap and bolt for the purpose of clear illustration; but in actual use the hame and tugstrap are at such an angle to each other that the plate G will bear slightly against the adjoining side of the haine. The rubber block H is of such thickness and elasticity as to hold the plate G properly up to its work and permit but little or no play of the bolt in the staple, while at the same time the block is suiiciently yielding to permit aslight movement of the hame forwardly on the draw-bolt, and thus to a slight extent relieve the horse from the severe shock of its iirst movement forward when starting a load That I claim as new, and desire to secure by Lettersv Patent, is-

l. A tug-coupling consisting of a draw-bolt fixed in a tug-strap and projecting forwardly from the end thereof, the draw-bolt heilig adapted to pass through a staple'in a haine, and a bearing-plate and an elastic block secured to the draw-bolt on the outside of the staple through which the draw-bolt passes, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with a hame provided with a rigid staple, of a draw-bolt vlived in and projecting from the end of a tug-strap, and a bearing-plate, an elastic bloclc, a cap, and a nut on the draw-bolt outside of the staple through which the holt passes, substantially as described. i 1

In testimony whereof Iafiix my signature in `presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES LENTZ.

Vtitnes'ses:

R. SAUERHERING, En. SAUERHERING. 

